Week 52 Case 1 Ephesus
John started by telling the people in the Ephesian church: I know all the things you do. I’m pretty sure he meant all the good things they did. Because he went on to list some:
You’ve worked hard
Endured adversity with patience
Didn’t tolerate evil people (a good kind of intolerance)
You scrutinized and tested false prophets who came into the church
You suffered with patience (and you didn’t give up)
John also said: you hated the deeds of the immoral Nicolaitans (an unclear but clearly good quality)
So this seemed like a lot of affirmation (I don’t think any of the other churches will get as many plus-qualities).
But having said all these positive things John added: but I have this complaint against you. You don’t love the Lord or each other as you did at first. Look how far you have fallen from your first love.
It’s hard to weigh the pros and cons one-against-the-other. Six pretty solid qualities. Virtues. Good things. But at the same time the people had lost some of their love for the Lord. Lost love for each other.
Look how far you have fallen. How far was far? Well it was getting to be far enough that the Lord told them if you don’t turn back I will come and remove your lampstand from its place.
Far enough to be on the verge of getting disowned.
Note: Revelation 2:1-7. Quotes from Revelation 2:2 4-5 6 (NLT)